In mid 1940 it became clear that there was insufficient air-raid shelter accommodation in Canterbury and a scheme was drawn up for eight new communal surface shelters, each to house fifty persons. This seems to have been modified, slightly, and the resulting shelters were based on modules each housing forty eight. These were to be built of brick and concrete. One of these, approved toward the end of July, was for a shelter in the Buttermarket, to house ninety-six. A tender of Mr G.A. Stone, to build these surface shelters was accepted in August 1940. The Buttermarket shelter was freestanding to the west of the First World War Memorial and can be seen clearly in immediate post-war aerial photographs. Toward the end of March 1941 a concrete floor was provided. In late February 1942 the shelter roof was strengthened with reinforced concrete.
Owner : Public
Publicly accessible : Yes
How accessed for survey :
Tourism Potential :
Condition : Destroyed
Date of visit :

Canterbury City Council Emergency Committee, 01/01/39, Canterbury City Council Emergency Committee Minute Books 1 to 6 (Unpublished document). SKE14920.

Canterbury City Council Emergency Committee, 01/01/39, Canterbury City Council Emergency Committee Minute Books 1 to 6 (Unpublished document). Ske14920.